News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.

Friday, July 23, 2010

A profile of Prince Louis Bonaparte appears in today's Chicago Tribune. The writer, an ex-attache, has known the Prince since he was eight years old. The ex-attache believes that the prince's engagement to Grand Duchess Helen of Russia will bring great success to him. "This incalculable prestige which a match of this kind cannot fail to give him in France, where the classes, the well-to-do bourgeoisie, and the army are yearning for the appearance on the scene of some strong man to preserve them from the encroachments of the masses, and the specter of socialism, anarchy and revolution."Prince Louis is described as being "so-self contained and self-controlled." He never "speaks a word more than he intends, and he weighs carefully every utterance before it is made." The prince has a "generous and a warm heart," and he has managed to "keep his name entirely free from any taint of scandal," unlike his elder brother, the "disreputable Prince Victor Bonaparte.Another point in the prince's favor is how he has behaved toward his parents He holds his mother and father in "high filial regard and respect." His elder brother, Victor, was ,for several years before his father's death, "in open personal and political opposition," and was sued by the late Prince Napoleon's "most bitter enemies."Prince Louis has served with the Russian army and with the Italian cavalry. He was granted a commission in the Russian army because the Russian czar liked him and considered him family. This was in direct contrast to how Alexander III treated the Duke of Orleans. Prince Louis, 24is treated "as a near and dear relative" of the Romanovs, and is often invited to family events in St. Petersburg.Thus, the impending marriage between Prince Louis and Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna comes as no surprise.Grand Duchess Helen is an "exceedingly beautiful and brilliant girl." This may be a love match. If Prince Louis does "nourish at the bottom of his heart any ambitions with regard to the French throne he could not possibly have played his cards more cleverly than by first identifying himself with the Czar's army and then marrying into the Czar's family."A husband of a Russian Grand Duchess will place Louis "in the circle of the sovereign houses beyond question."

Earlier this year, there were press reports that Prince Louis Napoleon was going to marry Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.

Even princes have to work, especially if they live in exile. Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, a nephew of the Duchess of Kent, was discovered today in Bristol "selling washing machines for a living, according to the Associated Press."Great future in them," the prince, a strapping 24 year old, told reporters. "After all, I have to earn my living, and this is an up and coming industry.The Yugoslav royal family came to England during the war, but the monarchy was formally abolished on November 29, 1945, when Premier Marshall Tito established a republic.Prince Alexander, "now a 200 pound 6 footer, is the son of Prince Paul, the former Prince Regent for the then minor King Peter. He has been using the name "Mr. Alexander."The prince's boss, Maj. Beddington Behrens, chairman of a London distributing firm, hired him "nearly two years ago." Behrens said: "He's doing a great job.

Prince Alexander is the eldest of three children of Prince Paul and Princess Olga, who is the Duchess of Kent's eldest sister. Prince Paul is the first cousin of the late King Alexander, who was assassinated in 1934 at Marseilles.

The Duke of Spoleto, a cousin of King Victor Emanuele of Italy, is in serious condition following a automobile accident near the Swiss-Italian frontier. He was taken unconscious to a hospital at Bescia. His condition is described as grave, according to the New York Times. His companion, an Italian countess, was "only slightly injured.The duke, who is also known as Prince Aimone, is the younger son of the Duke and Duchess of Aosta. The name of the Italian countess was not made known.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP, and his mother, Anne Grainger, were among the guests at yesterday's Buckingham Palace, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.Anne Grainger is the granddaughter of the late Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, and the Earl of Athlone (ne Prince Alexander of Teck.) Ian is Anne's eldest son from her marriage to David Liddell-Grainger, who died in 2007.

Liddell-Grainger was the owner of Ayton Castle, and held the Scottish feudal barony of Ayton, which his father, Henry Liddell-Grainger, had bought for £90,000 (along with Ayton Castle and the estate) in 1895 from Alexander Harold Mitchell-Innes.Feudal baronies are not to be confused with the fifth grade of the peerage (barons and, in Scotland, Lords of Parliament.) Feudal baronies are legitimate,and can be bought and sold. The holders are not called Lord. Feudal baronies are not considered peerages.Ian, however, did not inherit Ayton Castle and its properties. His father did not leave anything to his children by his former wife, Anne, but to his son, David, whose mother, Christine, Lady de la Rue, was his longtime companion. They finally married in 1996.Ian, as David's eldest son, inherited the Ayton barony, despite the fact that the property was inherited by his younger half-brother.

The Daily Telegraph today has a dispatch from St. Petersburg, "which says the ladies of the Russian court are greatly upset at the fact that the Czarina has forbidden cigaret smoking in her presence."The dispatch, which was reported by the Chicago Daily Tribune, adds that the ladies have petitioned Her Imperial Majesty "to withdraw the prohibitory ukase, pointing out that the ladies smoke cigarets at all the courts of Europe." The petition adds that many of the crowned heads and "Princesses of the blood royal," including the Dowager Queen Maria Cristina of Spain, the Empress of Austria, the Queen of Roumania, the Queen of Portugal and the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia, while, "they allege, the greatest devotee of all is Princess Henry of Prussia," Empress Alexandra's older sister.

More than 10,000 persons, "a large number of them invalids and war veterans, marched past the coffin of Queen Marie today in Bucharest." According to the New York Times report, "shop windows, homes and street lamps throughout the city were draped in her honor."Queen Marie of Yugoslavia, daughter of Queen Marie, and Prince Paul, the Prince regent of Yugoslavia, will arrive tomorrow. The Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince Kyril of Bulgaria are expected to attend the funeral. It is not known "who will represent Germany."The Duke of Kent is the representing the British sovereign, King George VI. Queen Marie of Romania, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, was a British princess by birth.On Sunday, a moment of silence will be observed throughout the country when the Queen's coffin is placed in the royal mausoleum.The AP is reporting that Queen Marie left King Carol her Balcic castle on the Black Sea. Her eldest daughter, Elizabeth, the former wife of King George II of Greece, will inherit property and a hunting lodge at Skorovistea.Queen Marie of Yugoslavia received "the famous Copaceni castle near Bucharest," and Princess Ileana, the youngest daughter, "was left a feudal mountain stronghold dating back to the thirteenth century, at Bran, Transylvania."Prince Nicholas, who has lived in exile, has inherited a palace in Venice, which "his mother bought only a few weeks ago when she knew death was near."

The New York Times is reporting on dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph in Copenhagen on the selection of Duke Wilhelm of Urach as king of Lithuania. This action has "aroused strong criticism in Germany."
The Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, according to the dispatch, states that Wilhelm's section "was made by the State Council without asking the permission of Germany." The dispatch further points out that Lithuania's Independence "was accepted by Germany only on condition that the creation of a monarchy be effected according to the wishes of Germany.
The Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung is an official organ of the German government. The report adds that Germany will not permit Lithuania "to come to any decision on the crown independently of Germany."
Duke Wilhelm will be known as King Medove of Lithuania.

The Duke of Montpensier, brother of the Duke of Orleans, returned today from a trip to Mexico with "his moving-picture machine and operator, but with no records of the big game." The New York Times reports that the duke had planned to "hunt with his fun and cinematograph" when he left New York City two months ago. The Duke, now staying at the Hotel Knickerbocker, said the rainy season had "interfered with his hunting in the mountains," and the "only thing that he shot were some wild ducks."
"I was very much disappointed in not being able to hunt big game in the wilds of Mexico, but it rained incessantly there after my arrival, and the mountain roads were so slippery as to be impassable.
"President Diaz had arranged a big hunt for me, but the weather played havoc with all our plans, and the only shooting I did was near the capital, when I bagged small game such as ducks. Once I rode on horseback out of the city, spending twelve hours in the saddle, but all the game seemed to have sought cover from the rain except the ducks, which, as everyone knows, like the water.
"I brought back with me, however, about 1,000 yards of films, which consist mostly of pictures of Mexican cowboys using the lasso, riding on bulls, and scenes in and around Mexico City. I showed them one afternoon at a private entertainment at the capital, which was attended only by the President, the Government officials and their wives. I am a great admirer of President Diaz, and took team with him on several occasions.
"While I enjoyed my visit to Mexico, I must say that the hotels down there are not very inviting. The poorest hotel in New York would be the best in Mexico City. The service is atrocious. If you order a cup of tea they have to sen out for it, and sometimes it takes an hour. Although I met many beautiful señoritas at the homes of their parents, I did not see what I would call pretty women down there. One never sees pretty women in public as one does in New York or Paris."

The Prince of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock will be married on July 9, 2011. The date was announced earlier today by the Palace's press office. The civil marriage, required by Monaguesque law, will take place at the palace on July 8.

No, the palace did not announce the bridesmaids, the gown, or who will be attending!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Chicago Daily Tribune is reporting that Grand Duke George of Russia, heir presumptive of Nicholas II, "is dangerously ill at the Crimea."
Grand Duke George, who was born in 1871, is Nicholas II's younger brother.

A Paris court has awarded the "famous Radziwill emerald necklace," to Count Potocki, "holder of the Lancut estate.The necklace, valued before the World War at 11,000,000 Francs, has been the subject of "plots, litigation and discussion" since the death of the original owner, the Dowager Princess Antoine Radziwill, widow of a former aide-de-camp of Kaiser Wilhelm I. She bequeathed the necklace to her son, Prince Stanislaus, with the provision that he died without male issue, "now worth a fortune in paper francs, should go to the holder of the Lancut estate."Prince Stanislas was killed at the Battle of Manin, fighting the Bolsheviks, in April 1920. He had only one child, a daughter. Count Potocki filed suit to obtain the "disputed necklace, which had been hidden by Stanislas's widow."

The Countess Juan de Guell, lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain, sailed today for San Sebastian on the Spanish mail liner Manuel Arnus, She is traveling with her 15-year-old daughter, Carmen, and her son, Juan.The Countess was in the United States for a brief visit. She enjoyed her stay, and she gave the impression that she "would be willing to have her daughter marry an American, but would not wish her son to marry one, because American girls were not home-loving," the New York Times reported.

King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain "concluded their unofficial visit" to London today and have departed for Paris. Their second son, Infante Jaime, will remain in London "to undergo treatment for his deafness."There was a "large gathering of prominent persons at Victoria Station to bid the royal party adieu," including King George V and Queen Mary and other members of the royal family, and the Spanish Ambassador, according to the New York Times.

By direct wire to the Los Angeles Times in an exclusive dispatch. The British court and British society "are becoming democratic in their diversions." This was evident at Earl's Court the other day when Queen Alexandra came with her nephew, Crown Prince Constantine of Greece and his wife, Sophie; her friends, the Duchess of Portland, lady de Gray and Miss Charlotte Knollys, and for escorts, Count Mensdorff, the Austrian Minister, and King Edward's friend, the Marquise de Soveral, the Portuguese Minister.The Duchess of Marlborough also joined the party, and "others of the court set were seen to be having a thoroughly hilarious evening in a beer hall, in the thick of the beer drinking crowd, imbibing to their hearts' content and joining in the chorus of the latest comic songs."

Queen Elizabeth II has invited the President of the United States to make a State Visit to the United Kingdom. This will be the second State Visit to the United Kingdom by an American President. The first State Visit was in 2003 by President George Bush. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson stayed at Buckingham Palace, but the American president was not on a State Visit. In 1982, President and Mrs. Reagan were guests of the Queen at Windsor, but this visit was not considered a State Visit.The invitation from the Queen was presented to President Obama by British Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

In the late 1950s, Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy was considered the princess most likely to marry then Infante Juan Carlos of Spain, the heir in waiting to the Spanish throne. But Maria Gabriella, daughter of the exiled King Umberto III of Italy and Princess Marie Jose of Belgium, was not interested in becoming a queen. In an interview with the newspaper Diario de Mallorca, the Princess said "I think the monarchy will disappear sooner or later."The Princess, whose main residence is in Switzerland, spends her vacations at Mallorca, "to regenerate" in the sun.

"In Spain, I am known as the first bride of Don Juan Carlos. I could have been the Queen. We went together, but my boyfriend was young, naive. We met in Portugal, where our families lived in exile. At the time there was not much to do but surf or go horse back riding. I had no vocation, no desire to be Queen. The Shah of Iran also asked me to marry him, but I did not accept. Fortunately."

The Princess also talked about when the royal family went into exile in 1946. "I remember it very well. The year was 1946 and we left Italy on board a warship full of cockroaches. For us children, exile meant the discovery of the world. This was really fund. The result of the referendum did not give a clear victory to the Republicans, but the King did not want a civil war in Italy, so he decided to leave."Maria Gabriella admitted that there were tense moments in the final hours. We had to leave at night by ship from Naples to avoid a demonstration. Fortunately, Portugal welcomed us into the country. My father lived there until his death."She added that her father "suffered a lot" during three decades of exile. We loved our country. I was very homesick."

She thinks "the monarchy will disappear sooner or later. King Juan Carlos has done very well, not to mention Queen Sofia. Being Queen is a very difficult job and it takes dedication to service."

Princess Maria Gabriella is an active and vocal supporter of her cousin, the Duke of Aosta, as head of the house of Savoy, despite the fact that she has a brother, Victor Emmanuel.

"My brother did some thing wrong in is life, and is not a good representative of the dynasty."

When asked about the Prince of Asturias, Maria Gabriella said: "I have only met her once on the day of the wedding. I think she is smart. She has a difficult role. That's why I never wanted to marry a king. No compensation."

Princess Maria Gabriella, who has a home in Ibiza, first came to Mallorca in 1966. "I live in Switzerland throughout the year and I need the sun to regenerate and continue working."

The princess was married in 1969 to Robert Zellinger de Balkany. They separated in 1976, but did not divorce until 1990. The couple have one daughter, Marie Elizabeth Zellinger de Balkany, who was born in 1972. She is married to Olivier Janssens, and they have two children, Gabriella and Tommaso.

The Royal Family of Luxembourg will arrive on the cruiser Trenton at Annapolis, Maryland, in Wednesday, and when cruiser reaches Washington, D.C., President Franklin D. Roosevelt will be on hand for a "warm personal welcome," United Press is reporting.The "royal refugees" do not include Grand Duchess Charlotte, who remains in Lisbon. The remainder of the family, including her husband, Prince Felix, and their six children, are all on board the ship. The Luxembourg government "asked and received haven" in the United States after their country was overrun by the Germany Army. As "recognized ruling heads of a friendly nation," the royal family was invited to come aboard the cruiser, "returning home after completing its tour of duty with the European squadron."Prince Felix is expected to be the luncheon guest of the President, "perhaps on Thursday."

Former Empress Zita of Austria arrived today at La Guardia Field in New York by Dixie Clipper from Lisbon, "a refugee at last from a world that began to crumble under her throne a quarter-century ago," reports the New York Times. Zita, a thin woman of medium height, "with a proud face," and was dressed in black.She arrived with her daughter, 19-year-old Archduchess Elisabeth, who was dressed in blue.Zita was greeted by her eldest son, Archduke Otto, "who was just learning to walk when the first World War began," and by another son, Archduke Felix. Each son "bowed stiffly to kiss her hand and then affectionately kissed her cheek."The former empress and Archduchess Elisabeth were presented with carnation leis by five-year-old Vera Nickich.Reporters asked Zita about her opinion of the war situation in Europe. She was asked who would win. "Why, the democracies, of course. Oh, I am sure of victory."During her stay in the United States, Zita will be the guest of Calvin Bullock, a broker, at his country home in Royalstone, Massachusetts. Zita's stay is "quite indefinite," as it "has been everywhere since the end of the World War." She hopes to bring to America her five other children. Her brother, Prince Felix, who is married to Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, is en route to the United States on board the Trenton.Several hours after her arrival in New York, the "tired, but smiling" former Empress arrived in Royalstone, a small and quiet Massachusetts village. Massachusetts State police escorted "the party the last few miles of the journey" to the village, which has one country store and "serene, tree-shaded streets."

The guests were invited for a birthday party at Schloss Umkirch to celebrate the 51st birthday of Nina de Zomer, the girlfriend of Hereditary Prince Karl Friedrich of Hohenzollern. Instead of a birthday party, 120 guests discovered they were attending Karl-Friedrich and Nina's wedding. It turned out to be the best-kept secret.
The couple were married in a civil ceremony at Schloss Umkirch This was followed by a thanksgiving service, which was conducted by Sigmaringen priest Karl-Heinz Berger. Karl-Friedrich had asked the priest to conduct the thanksgiving service. "He would not let this important day for him to pass without thanking God to send a petition to him."
Father Berger added: "If a second marriage is truly lived in faith, then it surely has God's blessing on it."
The palace was illuminated and the reception was held under white tents. Schloss Umkirch was where Prince Karl=Anton of Hohenzollern and Princess Josephine of Belgium were married. The schloss is also the birthplace of Karl-Friedrich's father, Prince Franz. Karl-Friedrich said he was very fond of the schloss. "I have spent many holidays here. For me, this is a very special place."
The couple also chose Umkirch for their marriage, as Karl-Friedrich's first marriage had taken place in Sigmaringen.
The guests included Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia, the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Baden, Prince Maximilian zu Fürstenberg, and the Countess of Castell-Rüdenhausen.
Hereditary Princess Katharina wore a white gown and a veil made from Belgian lace. Her bouquet of pink flowers were designed to match the Hereditary Prince's tie.
The Hereditary Prince and Princess of Hohenzollern first met while skiing in Switzerland. They will spend their honeymoon in the south of France.

Monday, July 19, 2010

It was "officially stated" today that "while salmon-fishing" in Quebec, Prince Leopold "met with a slight accident and sprained his leg," the New York Times reports. In Toronto, a dispatch from Quebec to the Globe reports: "The cause of the early and unexpected return to England of the viceregal party is the indisposition of Princess Louise." She has been ill since her departure from Quebec for Metapedia "on the salmon-fishing expedition," and has been suffering from "nervousness and sleeplessness." The visit to Metapedia was "was cut short by about a fortnight." The princess's doctors believe that her illness is the result of the accident she suffered last winter in Ottawa, "when she was thrown out of her sleigh, sustaining a cut on the side of her head." The princess's "entire nervous system is upset. She has been advised by her doctors to visit several German spas, after which she will spend some time in England before returning to Canada. There are no further updates "respecting the health of Prince Leopold." He and his sister, "with their respective staffs, will sail together by the Allan Line steam-ship, Polynesian, on July 31.

Princess Elizabeth, the 4-year-old daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, went shopping today in Forfars, Scotland, "carrying her own purse and paying her own bills."The little princess is staying with her mother, the Duchess of York, at nearby Glamis Castle, and she came to town with her maternal grandmother, the Countess of Strathmore, to " buy a book."The Associated Press reports that the princess, "after much examination she rejected several, saying: "I've seen that already."The princess finally found "one that was new to her, and asked the price." "I will take that," and she "produced her purse with dignified self-possession and paid for the book."The Duchess of York is expecting a second child within a few weeks. If the baby is a boy, he will move ahead of Elizabeth in the line of succession. Another daughter will follow Elizabeth, who is third in line to the throne after her uncle, the Prince of Wales, and her father.

King Carol II and Queen Helen of Roumania made a rare public appearance together today, as they "rode out to the Curtea de Arges" at a memorial service for Carol's father, King Ferdinand, who died in 1927, according the Associated Press.Carol and Helen appear, for the time being, has "put the marital troubles, which had separated them since the crown prince chose a path away from the mother of his small son, Michael."This was the first time the couple had appeared together since Carol's return to Romania. They "were believed by the populace, which awaited such a gesture, to have composed the last of their differences."The reconciliation was given further credence when Carol and Helen were aboard the private train together with Queen Marie, Prince Nicholas and Princess Ileana, en route to the ceremony. On board, the king called a cabinet meeting to provide for a legal formula to announce the annulment of his divorce from Helen.The Romanian people have looked forward with anticipation to the public appearance so "that they might accept the fact the many rumors, which had gained circulations regarding the reconciliation."Friends of the couple had pressed the king and queen to "settle their troubles," and officials close to Carol made it clear that Elena Lupescu "would not come to Rumania to mar their marital happiness."The announcement of the annulment of the divorce is expect to be made when the couple return to Bucharest. The public hopes "their marital problem will be officially settled in time" for Helen to "share the throne with Carol at the coming state coronation."

Former Kaiser Wilhelm II and his family are in mourning following the death of his youngest son, Prince Joachim. The news of the young prince's suicide "was received at Doorn Castle last Saturday night," according to the New York Times. Joachim's death was a "terrific blow" to the Kaiser as Joachim "seemed cheerful and normal" during his most recent visit to Doorn.

The former Kaiserin has not yet been informed of her son's death as she is "suffering from a severe attack of her chronic malady, heart disease." She is said to be "getting weaker hourly."

Wilhelm II is "naturally very depressed." This morning he was seen walking in the grounds of his home with Count von Moltke. Telegrams and letters of sympathy and condolence have been arriving all days from Germany and elsewhere. Former Crown Prince Wilhelm is expected to arrive this evening.

The death of Prince Joachim "came as a great blow" to his eldest brother, as relations between the two "were always of the most friendly nature."
The Duke and Duchess of Brunswick will extend their stay at Doorn. The Duchess is the Kaiser's only daughter, and the one closest in age to Prince Joachim.

Prince Joachim was very popular at Doorn, and "never showed signs of depression in public." He took frequent walks from Doorn into the village, and often stopped to talk to the village children. When the Crown Prince was at Doorn several weeks ago, he and his brother took look walks and drives into the countryside. Wilhelm and Joachim "appeared to enjoy each other's company and to be in good spirits."

Several people, however, noticed that "Joachim when alone would start suddenly to run and then check himself."

The news of Prince Joachim's suicide has caused a "great sensation" in Berlin and their are "diverging versions of how it occurred and what the reasons for it were."

The official statement from Joachim's family is that the Prince "was suffering from nervous collapse caused by the difficulties of a financial settlement with the Prussian State."

Prince Joachim, the family insisted, had "very pessimistic views regarding his future," and he feared that he would lose his home, Villa Liegnitz, which is on the outskirts of Sans Souci in Potsdam.

The failure to reach a settlement increased "Joachim's nervousness," which his family insists was caused by a wound he received in the war.

Prince Joachim's friends disagree with this assessment. They say he "was in perfect physical condition and devoted to all kinds of sports and hunting," and were greatly surprised by the news of his suicide.

Prince Joachim was tall and slender like his eldest brother, "but his features had a somewhat brutal expression, which made it easy to believe rumors that he would occasionally horsewhip his wife, Marie, Princess of Anhalt."
Prince Joachim and Princess Marie Auguste were married in 1916. The Princess is the mother of his only child, a 4-year-old boy, who lived with his father at Villa Liegnitz.

Princess Marie Auguste fled from the marital home more than a year ago on "account of his cruelty."

Prince Joachim was found on Saturday morning with a wound in his chest by his brother Prince Eitel Friedrich, who ordered the Prince to be taken to a hospital next door to the villa. Prince Joachim "regained consciousness," and the two brothers "were observed to have a long and seemingly grave conversation."
Prince Eitel Friedrich did not deny the conversation but "states that Joachim did not tell him the reasons for his act."

The bullet from Joachim's revolver "entered the chest and grazed the heart and lungs." Doctors were unable to save him, and he died at one o'clock on Sunday.
The Hohenzollern family "tried their utmost of keep the manner of the Prince's death concealed," but the Berlin authorities "refused to comply with their wishes."

Friday, July 16, 2010

Crown Prince Gustav Adolf and Crown Princess Louise of Sweden arrived at the Grand Canyon today astride "Bob" and "Flo," "just plain old American mules.The AP reports that the royal couple "reached the top of the south rim of the Grand Canyon at noon," and were met by automobiles that took them back to the El Tovar hotel.They traveled "more than thirty miles astride the miles" during a journey that took them along the north rim of the Grand Canyon through the Phantom ranch and up the south rim.After a short rest, Gustaf Adolf and Louise, will travel to Gallup, New Mexico, where "they will board stages" to visit the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.The Prince and Princess "seemed to enjoy their novel experience of riding muleback."

July 16, 1920
The American-born Duchess of Oporto sailed today for New York on board te steam, Britannia. The New York Times reports that she will spend a month in the United States, and then return to Naples. Her visit to Italy will be "for the purpose of bringing the body of the late Duke, who died in Naples early this year," to Portugal for reburial in the Pantheon of Portuguese Kings.
The reburial is expected to take place next fall.

The Duke of Oporto was the younger brother of the late King Carlos of Portugal.

Prince Louis Philippe Robert, Duke of Orleans, son of the late Count of Paris, and head of the royal house of France, celebrated his engagement today with a formal betrothal at Alesuth castle in Hungary. His fiancee is Archduchess Maria-Dorothea, daughter of Archduke Joseph of Austria. The Duke of Orleans is twenty-seven years old and his bride-to-be is twenty-nine, according to the New York Times' dispatch from Vienna.

Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and members of her family arrived tonight at Croydon airport in London, according to Reuter. The family traveled in a Belgian military plane. They are "to spend a month in Scotland."

The State Department said today that seven members of the Luxembourg Royal Family were on their way to the United States, according to the Associated Press. Prince Felix, the husband of Grand Duchess Charlotte, and their six children, along with members of their household, are on board the cruiser Trenton.Grand Duchess Charlotte, the ruler of the tiny country now under German occupation, is not aboard the ship. The state department said that the transportation on the Trenton was "granted as a mark of international courtesy to the chief of a state with which the United States always has had friendly relations." The Luxembourg government had made the request of the United States to assist with safe passage for the members of the Grand Ducal family.Grand Duchess Charlotte and her family have been living in Lisbon, Portugal. She remained behind as her husband and children boarded the Trenton. The six children are, Hereditary Grand Duke Jean, 19; Prince Charles, 13, and Princesses Elisabeth, 18; Marie-Adelaide, 16; Marie-Gabrielle, 15, and Alix, 11.)Although no reason was given for Charlotte's decision to remain in Lisbon, it seems unlikely that she would have traveled with her six children, including her heir apparent.

In her most recent column, the Marquise de Fontenoy discusses that "King Ferdinand of Bulgaria has come almost as deaf as was his mother, the late Princess Clementine of Coburg." The King was recently in Paris, and, although the Paris newspapers, "maintained a discreet silence about the matter during his recent state visit." But his "hardness of hearing was a subject of much comment among the French people" and with foreign diplomats. It was noted that the king "depended a great deal upon his wife," who remained by his side "so as to keep him properly posted as to what people were saying."Although Queen Eleonore is "not good looking and over 50, she is a perfectly ideal consort in the assistance she renders in this respect." The Queen "is sensible, quiet, collected, and thinks before she speaks." She is a trained nurse, and she is "endowed with a vast amount of patience and of tact."She made an "excellent impression" during the visit to France, "despite her German birth and bringing up."The King has inherited his deafness through his mother, a Princess of Orleans. His late uncle, the Prince de Joinville, "was stone deaf," as was another uncle, the Duke de Nemours. His first cousins, the Dukes of Chartres and de Penthievre, are "hard of hearing. The late Count of Flanders, father of the present king of the Belgians, was also deaf. His mother was a sister of Princess Clementine. His deafness was so intense that "whenever some particularly important secret affecting royalty, or international politics, reached the public," the leak was always traced back to the Count. He and his "clever wife," the Countess of Flanders, would discuss such topics after dinner, "the windows of the dining room opening directly on to the street," so that anyone walking by, "could not help hearing what the count was saying." The Count, like many deaf men, "spoke in a loud and sonorous voice, while the countess was obliged to talk equally loud in her efforts to make him understood."

The Dowager Queen Margherita recently sat down with an English woman reporter, where the topics included sex, the proper way to bring up daughters, being a wife and a mother. The interview was published in the New York Times.
Margherita, the widow of the slain King Umberto I, is an accomplished woman, an "enlightened Shakespearean scholar, who has studied "the women of the Bard of Avon."
This gracious lady gives her views "on the all-important questions of family life."

"I am absolutely opposed to any extravagant theory of what is called the emancipation of women. In whatever condition of life a woman may be placed her first duty is the negative one of not giving up the qualities that distinguish her sex. Poor or rich, high or low, a woman should be so educated as to to contribute to her own needs and requirements and to those of her family.She should not associate unreservedly with men, nor should she meddle in politics, as the word is broadly understood. Above all, she should guard against developing the traits of men. A blending of ancient reserve with modern independence would give us the ideal woman. Let her study, teach, work, shine in society, or stay at home, she should, nevertheless, look to her father, her brother, or her husband for counsel and support in difficulties. Why? Because a woman, as a rule cannot have the wide experience of a man.
"In Latin countries women have been kept in too much subjection to men. But this is gradually disappearing, and during the past twenty years the women of Italy have made great progress."

The Queen is a believer in large families.
"Yes," Queen Margherita said. "How is a nation to progress except through its people? A childless family is incomplete. There is poetry and pathos about childhood which appeal to every right-hearted woman. Most women, though they may not be able to put this idea into words, feel it. They have the maternal instinct. Hence the remoteness of race suicide.
"The woman to whom the blessing of motherhood is denied misses the best in life. I speak not of the necessary exceptions. They may have another mission in life. A holy call may claim their soul and senses all. Unmarried women need not of necessity be unhappy or useless. They may have wide fields of useful activity, and they can make their lives beautiful as well as useful by working for the welfare of others. Altruism is but another name for the charity of Christ, or for the love of humanity, and the greatest thing on earth is love.
"Women show their intellectuality by rearing healthy and great children just as much as they do by writing books or painting pictures.
"The wife who deliberately refuses to bring children into the world must have something wrong with her moral shakeup. Her shirking of the obligation may even amount to a heinous crime. Her action may even me contrary to patriotism. I am very pleased to know that there is a movement in the United States in favor of large families, and that the President has put himself upon record as favoring them. European women have begun to look for light to their sisters of the United States.
"People are still influenced very much by the force of example. I have frequently heard that the good example of Queen Victoria of England has worked untold good for her people. I do think that the force of example is particularly effective for young girls. They are susceptive of the highest powers of imitation. Improve the condition of the women of the country and you elevate that whole section of human race."
The Queen was also asked about her views on culture.
"Religious instruction should be the basis of culture, particularly for those who have to make their way in life.
"Now they can enter the institutes of fine arts and the universities, and almost all walks of life suited to their sex are open to them. As a results, men, even in European countries, are beginning to consider and to respect women, and those who are called the weaker sex are commencing to exercise a stronger influences on society.
"In Italy, a quarter of a century ago women had only needlework and teaching between them which to choose, so that they could scarcely earn a modest living."

Margherita debated the basis of family life. "It is love. This is true regardless of social conditions. Society or the body politic, to be successful, must be founded on love. The body politic is formed from the families of the nation. If these be not individually cemented by love, society cannot hold together. A loveless marriage is a curse; a marriage based upon love is a blessing. From such marriages spring a kind and a capable people. The human family is blessed and cheered by the heard influence of brave spirits whose wellspring of love ever flows fresh, and is never checked by sorrow or disappointment.
"The teaching of woman would not only make her useful to herself and others, but should tend to make her good, kind, loving; should help her fill her life with sincere friendships, intellectual pursuits, charitable interests, and domestic affection, while always preserving that charm or reserve which is the crowning glory of her sex."
The Queen was also asked about the improvement in the tone of society.
"In Italy, at least, I am sure it is. It is more elevated to-day than it was thirty years ago. Then amusements, carnival, and dress were the foremost pleasures of women in position. Now much of their time is given to useful social work, thus greatly ameliorating the condition of the less favored."
She said that the Italians appreciated the Anglo-Saxon women.
"In Italy we appreciate them very much. An English nursery governess was engaged for the King when he was a child. The same has been done for the little Princesses and the baby Prince. English is a familiar language at the Court. Of course, we speak French and German also."
Margherita considered coquetry as "quite reprehensible. The coquette is usually cold-hearted and cold-blooded. She has not capacity for love. She seeks admiration, not affection. She lacks cheerfulness. She plays upon man's vanity."
A lady, she said, "is soft of speech and pleasant of manner. A lady always has perfect control of herself, keeps her engagements, and is not oblivious of her liabilities. She has the courage of her convictions. If there is an occasion for self-denial she is capable of it. She cannot help having nerves, but she should not make a display of them to the discomfort of others, A lady is the complement of the gentlemen as defined by the late Cardinal Newman."
A woman "should help others. The laws of nature and the common teachings of Christianity point to this. She should protect, befriend, and help such enterprises as are worthy of support. She should improve herself mentally and otherwise. A woman can, and ought, to make her conversation deeply interesting. She should read. Personally, I am fond of Shakespeare. A woman of culture should know the classics of her country and of other countries also.
"Should she have a talent for music of the fine arts, why not cultivate it? She should set up lofty ideals. A woman's sunny smile promotes cheerfulness. Every woman has her domestic duties which should not be shirked. It is a most pleasing sight to see a refined woman helping children."
Queen Margherita does not consider marriage to be a hindrance. "The question scarcely admits discussion. For those who have a vocation to the married life, and they constitute a majority, it must be a great help. In fact, it could not be otherwise. A sympathetic woman can do much to encourage and to inspire a man in any work. The encourage of a good woman can do much to encourage and inspire a man in any work. The encouragement of a good woman may prevent a man from losing faith in himself. Happiness helps. A suitable marriage brings happiness. Therefore, it helps. A tasteful and amiable wife is a most valuable aid to any man. She may also be an ornament."
Queen Margherita believes that a woman can be an influence. "Yes; she has always had enormous influence since the world began. It is either for good or evil. If some of the heinous crimes of history can be traced to women, so also can come of the most heroic virtues. Men owe their best qualities to their mothers. When society is correct and courteous it is because of the influence of woman."

The Princess von Wrede, who was accused of "stealing silverware from hotels and restaurants," has been indicted and "must stand trial," according to the New York Times' Berlin correspondent. It was believed that the princess "would escape criminal prosecution," as she was regarded as a "kleptomaniac and placed in a sanatorium."This has all changed due to the indictment.

"Following his divorce from Princess Christina, Prince Andrej married Princess Kira of Leiningen, the third child of the 6th Prince of Leiningen and Grand Duchess Maria Kirillovna of Russia, and yet another descendant of Queen Victoria. Kira and Andrej were married in September 1963, but the announcement of their marriage was not made until after the birth of their first son, Karl Wladimir, the following March. A second son, Prince Dimitri, was born a year later. A few months after Dimitri's birth, Prince Andrej and Princess Kira adopted a four-year-old girl, Lavinia Maria, who was, in fact, Kira and Andrej's natural daughter, born in 1961 when Andrej was still married to Princess Christina. The adoption was a formality to give the little girl a new surname. Crown Prince Alexander, as Head of the Family, has recognized Lavinia as a Princess of Yugoslavia."and from one of the footnotes:Lavinia Maria Lane was born at 12 Avenue Road, St. John's Wood, London. No father's name appears on her original birth certificate; her mother's name is given as Kira Lane. She is the natural daughter of Princess Kira of Leiningen and Prince Andrej of Yugoslavia and acknowledged as Prince Andrej's daughter. After the couple's marriage, Lavinia was adopted by her natural parents to avoid a scandal within the family. The adoption became official on November 15, 1965. Kira Karageorgevich, late Lane, formerly Leiningen is the name listed on Prince Dimitri's birth certificate. Both Dimitri and Lavinia were born at l2 Avenue Road, while Prince Karl Wladimir was born at the Royal Northern Hospital, Islington. HRH Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, as Head of the Family, has confirmed that Lavinia Marie (the middle name was changed from Maria to Marie in the adoption because of a misprint on the original certificate) is entitled to the style and title of HRH Princess of Yugoslavia.

Thus, Lavinia is recognized as a member of the Serbian royal family as HRH Princess Lavinia.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia continues to shop around for a husband for her only daughter, Grand Duchess Helen. The Marquise of Fontenoy reports today on the possible marriage between Helen and Prince Louis Bonaparte, which she writes "cannot fail to strengthen the bonds of union between France and Russia." Even Germany, which fears stronger ties between the two countries, cannot fail to see the "redeeming points" of the marriage.Grand Duchess Vladimir is a German Princess by birth, and is "of all the foreign ladies who have married members of the reigning house of Russia the one who has become the least Russianized, and who has remained the most devoted to her native land."The Marquise also notes that the Grand Duchess, who was born Princess Marie of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, is the only foreign born Grand Duchess "who has obstinately refused under any circumstances to become converted to the Russian religion." This is, in fact, not true. Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg did not convert to the Orthodox church when she married Grand Duke Constantine. Elisabeth continued to worship in the Lutheran church until her death.Grand Duchess Helen "is a beautiful girl of 17 years of age." She "created a favorable impression upon Queen Victoria," whom she met last spring in Nice. "She is renowned at the Russian court for her high spirit and for her quick temper." She once flung a cup of hot tea "at the head of her governess when in a fit of passion."The marriage for Prince Louis would be financially advantageous. His father, the late Prince Jerome Napoleon, disinherited his elder son, Prince Victor, in favor of Prince Louis, as Prince Victor was dependent on the "generosity of an elderly woman of stormy antecedents." Prince Louis' income does not exceed $30,000 a year.The real question is why "is that the Court of Russia should show itself so full of amiability towards a member of the relatively parvenu house of Bonaparte, and so unfriendly, on the other hand to the Duke of Orleans and to members of his family."The Duke of Orleans applied for a commission in the Russian army, which was refused by the Emperor. He was also asked by the police during his only visit to St. Petersburg.Prince Louis Bonaparte "has always borne himself with so much dignity, sense of self-respect and discretion." His life has been scandal-free, unlike the Duke of Orleans' unsavoury life. The Duke of Orleans has also "done a good deal of harm in the eyes of the French nation, as well as of Russia," by marrying an Austrian archduchess. Austria is a part of the Triple Allianace, and, thus the marriage is considered an offense to Russia and to France.Should Prince Louis marry Grand Duchess Helen, and come Emperor of the French, "he would possess advantages inestimably superior to those of either the First or Third Napoleon, or of King Louis Philippe. Prince Louis is related to nearly every reigning house. He is a nephew of King Umberto of Italy and a first cousin of the King of Portugal. Through the House of Württemberg, he is related to Queen Victoria, the German Emperor and the King of Sweden.

The "threatened uprising against the Spanish dynasty," is the probable reason for the return of Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria to Vienna, according to the Chicago Daily Tribune. It is "understood" that the archduchess "will some day be betrothed to King Alfonso if he is not ousted from the throne."

Donna Marina Torlonia was married today to Frank X. Shields, the American tennis star, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wendell D. Woodbury in North Conway, New Hampshire. Donna Marina is the youngest daughter of the late Don Marino Torlonia, 4th Prince of Civitella-Cesi, and his American-born wife, Mary Elsie Moore, a daughter of Charles Moore, a millionaire who made his money in shipping and hardware.The newlyweds met at a tennis championship in Rome. The bride is 23, and her husband, whose full name is Francis Xavier Shields, is 30 years old. His first marriage to Rebecca Tenney was dissolved by divorce on June 27 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.The marriage was officiated by Rev. H. Raymond Phelts of the North Conway Congregational Church, according to the New York Times.Mrs. Shields was "introduced into society" during the 1934-35 season. She and her husband departed for a honeymoon cruise aboard the yacht Rampage. They will reside in New York.

Empress Zita of Austria has sent "to every adult member of the Hapsburg family a letter, the publication of which tomorrow in newspapers here will cause a flutter in Little Entente Circles."The New York Times reports today that the former empress, who signed the letter as Empress and Queen, has, "in a very decided form" requested the members of the Habsburg family declare allegiance to her son, Archduke Otto.Otto "will come of royal age in November," and the event will be "marked by a ceremony which many Hapbsburgs, in common with leaders of the Legitimist movement in Austria and Hungary, are expected to attended.As other members of the family may not "find it possible to be present," Zita has issued the following circular letter:"His Majesty, Emperor and King Otto, will take over, on Nov. 20, the leadership of the Hapsburg family and also all prerogatives connected with this position. As it will not be possible for all members of the Hapsburg family to attend in person his coming of age, all members of the family, whether they intend to be present or not, must return this declaration of allegiance with their signature as soon as possible."Every member of the Hapsburg family has absolutely to oblige himself to support with all his powers the restoration, which is being prepared. Zita, Empress and Queen."The letter was written in German, "a fact which may not commend it to Hungary."

Princess Mafalda, second daughter of King Victor Emanuel of Italy and wife of Prince Philipp of Hesse, is expecting her first child. She is due to give birth in July, according to press reports. The Princess, "who was wed last September with great ceremony," is expected to travel to the family's castle at Racconigi. Her mother, Queen Elena, is expected to remain with her until the birth of the child.

The Will of the late Empress Eugenie of France was made public today. her estate was valued at more than $10,000,000, according to the New York Times. She bequeathed her mansion and estate at Farnborough, in England, to Prince Victor Napoleon and his wife, Princess Clementine of Belgium. She also left a considerable amount of money to Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain, who was her goddaughter. Many of the late Empress' jewels were of a "curious design and are considered almost priceless."

Monday, July 12, 2010

The North German Gazette reports today that the Serbian government "has applied to the Prussian authorities for assistance in taking the Servian [sic] Crown Prince back to Belgrade. The German news report was published in the New York Times, which noted that "such a request has been acceded to when coming from a private person." In this case, King Milan is exercising his parental authority and sovereign rights "toward his son and subject." The Prussians "have summoned" the Queen "to deliver the Crown Prince to King Milan's plenipotentiaries."Queen Natalie has refused and has "threatened ti forcibly resist the removal of the Prince."Members of her household have been armed "for the purpose of offering resistance." The Prussian government desires for the Serbian Queen to leave Germany unless "she is willing to submit to magisterial authority."

After "dismissing rumors without comment for two weeks," Dutch court officials today acknowledged that Crown Princess Juliana is expecting a second baby. The due date has not been announced, but it believed that the Princess will give birth in February.On January 21 of this year, Crown Princess Juliana gave birth to her first child, Princess Beatrix, who is second in line to the throne. Should the Crown Princess give birth to a son, little Princess will move down a notch in the succession.The Crown Princess is "reported to be good health," according to the New York Times dispatch. She and her family will spend their August holiday cruising the Baltic Sea.

Archduke Leopold of Austria, whose caused his $7,500 bail to be "canceled in General Sessions," "so he could be sent to the Tombs and more speedily bring about his trial for alleged participation in the alleged theft of the $400,000 diamond Napoleon necklace," according to the New York York Times.The necklace belonged to his aunt, Archduchess Maria Theresa. In an interview in the Tombs reception room, Leopold "expressed satisfaction with his surroundings.""I am reconciled to my situation," he said. "I had a good night and enjoyed my breakfast of coffee, bread and butter. It was the only thing for me to do to speed my trial. I did no intentional wrong in connection with the sale of the Napoleon necklace to David L. Michel, the Fifth Avenue jeweler, by Colonel Charles L Townsend, who has disappeared."He said that when he returns to Austria he plans to write a book about his experiences, "particularly in connection with his indictment and his inability to have his trial called as quickly as he desired."The Archduke spoke from behind a screen that separates prisoners from visitors. He spent the night in a cell with a "Negro hold-up on man on one side of him and a pickpocket on the other."Late in the afternoon, a well-dressed woman, "who said she was Mrs. Coburn of Sutton Place," drove up to the prison and told the warden "she wanted to call on the Archduke."She had arrived after regular visiting hours. The warden referred her to the office of the Commissioner of Correction, where she was able to obtain a special pass. She returned to the Tombs, where she visited Leopold. Mrs. Coburn made an inquiry of the archduke's conditions, and "offered to send him meals from outside," but she was told that this was not possible. The warden added that the "Archduke could purchase special meals from the prison commissary."Archduke Leopold is accused of "having accept $20,000 from the proceeds of the sale of the necklace," which was a gift from Napoleon to his wife, Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria.The archduke's actions were defended by Walther Nagelstock, the editor the New Vienna Journal, a conservative newspaper."The Hapsburgs have their faults but they are not capable of either theft or fraud. Every Austrian knows that the Hapsburgs have a pride which is inbred in them and would make them utterly contemptuous of either stealing or participation in a fraud. They have been known to commit suicide when in financial or other troubles, but never to yield to stealing or fraud."We do not believe in Austria that the Archduke is guilty of the charges made against him," the editor said."What amazes me and amazes the Austrians is that the Austrians in America have not come to the defense of the Archduke. After all, he is not only a member of the family which ruled Austria since medieval times, but is an Austrian as well."

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Zenouska Mowatt, 20, is rather "miffed to find herself on a list of Fergie's sacked staff."Zenouska's father, Paul Mowatt, told the Daily Mail's Richard Kay: "To say we're bemused is a bit of an understatement. How can you be sacked from a job you never had? Zen helped out in Fergie's office a couple of Christmases ago and went to New York recently at short notice when somebody was taken ill. But it was never a paid job -- just good will. It's odd to count Zen among Sarah's staff."

Zenouska was recently in Paris where she interned at the Bridgeman Art Library.

Sarah, Duchess of York has laid off all of her staff, including her long time personal assistant, Kate Waddington.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/7884031/Duchess-of-York-makes-all-her-staff-redundant-to-help-her-finances.html

The staff was informed of their redundancies by the Duke of York staff. The Duke of York has apparently taken over the duchess' affairs until she is able to get back on her feet.

One of the assistants who is now out of job is Zenouska Mowatt,.daughter of Marina Ogilvy Mowatt, and is, thus, a granddaughter of Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy.Sarah, Duchess of York, leaves next week for Neckar Island, the private island owned by Sir Richard Branson. Her two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are expected to join her. One assumes Sir Richard will be paying for the flight.

It appears that the riot act has been read to Sarah. She could not pay her staff. Andrew was not going to pay her staff. She does not need a driver or several personal assistants, let alone a protection officer.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Russia has semi-officially denied that it would "soon propose the Duke of Leuchtenberg for the Bulgarian throne." The duke is not named in the dispatch in the Los Angeles Times. The most likely candidate is Nicholas, 4th Duke of Leuchtenberg, first son of Maximilian de Beauharnais, 3rd Duke of Leuchtenberg, and Grand Duchess Maria Nicolaievna of Russia, daughter of Nicholas I.

King Edward VIII, "winding up a busy day," hosted a dinner at York House tonight, according to the New York Times. Earlier today, the King "reviewed troops, granted audiences to diplomats and tried out a new automobile in the rain."The guest list for the dinner, which was published in the Court Circular, included the Duke and Duchess of York, Sir Samuel and Lady Hoare, Sir Philip Sassoon, Viscount and Lady Willingdon, Lady Diana Coooper, the Winston Churchills, the Earl and Lady Stanhope, and Mrs. Ernest Simpson.

King Boris II of Bulgaria left today for Italy, where he will be staying with the Italian royal family, according to a New York Times dispatch. He was accompanied by his wife, Queen Giovanna, the daughter of King Vittorio Emanuele.Boris is "traveling incognito" but he will "undoubtedly seek means of discussing with Italian statesmen problems of international policy."

The AP is reporting that the Dowager Queen Marie of Roumania, with Princess Ileana, "left today for the Summer Palace at Sinaia," where they will visit with Queen Helen and Crown Prince Michael.King Carol II and Prince Nicholas "accompanied them to the station."It is not known how long Marie and Ileana will remain at Sinaia.

Dispatches from Sofia "saying that Foreign Minister Briand and Premiere Poincare" were supporting the effort of a French official to arrange a marriage between King Boris of Bulgaria and Princess Francoise, the daughter of the Duke of Guise, has caused much amusement at the Quai d'Orsay today, according to the Associated Press. Briand is one of the "founders of Socialism in France," and the Duke of Guise is the pretender to the former French throne, "so it would appear that the interests of te two would scarcely be reconciled."

Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovitch, brother-in-law of the former Emperor, gave a interview at the end of June to a reporter of the Budapest Az Est, according to a telegraph to Dutch newspapers. The interview was reprinted by the New York Times.The interview took place at Ai-Todor in the Crimea. The Grand Duke related his experiences after Nicholas II's abdication."We were for days at Dulbar (near Ai-Todor) at the house of Peter Nicolaievitch, all together. We owe our lives solely to that good and intelligent man. My six sons and myself were on the blacklist. We scarcely hoped to escape with our lives. They took our money and property. Our house in Petrograd was razed."Fortunately, I have a property with a vineyard at Ai-Todor,on the produce of which my family and myself can live."The Grand Duke was asked about the possibility of a "monarchical Constitution again." Alexander was "skeptical," about a restoration, namely with Nicholas II back on the throne. "Certainly not. He is vividly of the old system."

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Princess Anne is about to become a grandmother. Her son, Peter Phillips, and his Canadian-born wife, Autumn, confirmed in a statement today that Autumn is expected to give birth in December.This will be the couple's first child, and the first great-grandchild for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh."Peter and Autumn Phillips are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in December. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as well as Autumn's family have been in informed and are delighted with the news."[Did you expect the Queen to NOT be delighted. The announcement makes no mention of Peter's parents, the Princess Royal, and Mark Phillips. I bet they are delighted, too.]I love how misinformed Daily Mail writers are these days: "Mr Phillips, who is 11th in line to the throne but does not use a royal title..."

Peter Phillips doesn't use a title because he doesn't have one. When Princess Anne and Mark Phillips were married in 1973, they declined an earldom for Mark, as they wanted their children to not have titles. Thus, the new baby will be Master or Miss Christian name Phillips.

The Phillips live in Hong Kong, where Peter works for the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The Marquise de Fontenoy today reports that "there seems to be no end to the difficulties in connection with the marriage" of Duke Ernst Gunther of Schleswig-Holstein, only brother of the German empress, and Princess Dorothea of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha,
The arrangement has been "broken off and the breach repaired no less than three times," according to the Marquise. The wedding is now set for August 2, but a "bitter controversy has arisen on the subject of religion, a controversy in which the entire German press has taken part."
The Princess is Roman Catholic, and the Duke is a Lutheran. The Catholic Church "will not consent to bless the marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant" unless the couople agree to raise the children in the Roman Catholic faith. Sometimes a compromise can be arranged where the sons are brought up in their father's faith, and their daughters "in the belief of the mother."
This arrangement "exists in the instance of the Lutheran Prince Waldemark of Denmark and his French wife, Princess Marie of Orleans." Their sons are Lutheran, but their only daughter was baptised as a Roman Catholic.
There is a strict rule in the German army, instituted by Wilhelm I, "which prohibits any officer from entertaining any engagement to bring up his children to any other form of religion than that to which he himself belongs."
The Duke of Schleswig-Holstein is an officer in the German army, and subject to its regulations. He has used the military requirements as he "bases his objections" to the Roman Catholic church's insistence that his children be raised Catholic.
It is also possible that Ernst Gunther and Princess Dorothea be married in a Lutheran ceremony in Coburg, and "subsequently the should both appear before the roman Catholic rector of the City of Coburg and declare in the presence of two witnesses that they had been duly married." This action, according to the Roman Catholic sufficient to render the union ecclesiastically valid in its eyes." The couple will not have "received the Catholic sacrament of marriage," but they will be free to bring up their children in the Lutheran faith.
The marriage will take place in Coburg, instead of in Vienna, which has been the bride's home, due to the recent scandal there in connection with Dorothea's mother, Princess Louise.
All charges of forgery have been dropped, and Princess Louise, now released from the insane asylum, is now living quietly in Belgium.
The "forgeries amounted to a total sum of a quarter of a million dollars," and the money lenders "discounted the notes bearing the signatures of Princess Louise of Coburg and her sister, Crown Princess Stephanie of Austria," as they had never had dealings with either women. The money lenders did meet with Louise's chamberlain and lover, Captain von Kegelvich.
The forgeries appear to have been perpetuated by Louise's lover, but it was Louise's estranged husband, Prince Philipp of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha who settled all the debts, in order to avoid a further scandal. He paid "under compulsion" from the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, "who was anxious at all costs" to avoid a trial in Vienna, where his daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Stephanie, "would have been compelled to appear as a witness." Princess Louise would have appeared at the trial as a witness or a prisoner.
Prince Philipp found himself in a difficult situation. Franz Joseph "threatened to turn out the entire Coburg clique, bag and baggage, out of Austria unless the matter was settled."
Prince Philippe wrote to his father-in-law, King Leopold II, in vain, for assistance. But the Belgian sovereign "absolutely declined to do a thing in the matter, and even went so far as to vouchsafe the information that he would not contribute a cent even to avoid the disgrace of his daughter's appearance in court" on the charge of forgery.
Leopold has not paid any of Louise's debts, which appear to have been paid in full by Louise's mother-in-law, the elderly Princess Clementine, and by Franz Joseph. Leopold's conduct has not been appreciated by the Viennese court, and he is considered a "most disgraceful character."
As Prince Philipp has settled the forgery debts, he and his family are free to remain in Vienna.
In fac

King Haakon of Norway, now in exile in Great Britain, "asserted in a broadcast from Buckingham Palace that in refusing to abdicate he felt certain that he was acting 'in conformity with the wishes of the Norwegian people, '" according to an AP dispatch."my motto has always been and forever will be everything for Norway.:It would grieve me deeply if I were to separate from Norway," but he added that he would abdicate only if he believed that "was the wish of Norwegian people and the Norwegian government."The present German dominated administration in Oslo has demanded the king's resignation, but Haakon said that the government "did not represent the will of the people."

The New York Times today reports on the "latest developments in Hungary" regarding the status of Archduke Otto, who will soon "come of age." Only a few weeks ago "well-informed circles" in Hungary predicted that Otto, the eldest son of the late Emperor Karl, would be placed in the Hungarian throne after reaching his majority.This now appears to be unlikely, as there appears to be a "determined resistance" to a monarchy in Hungary. Opposition to a restoratin comes from two sources in the "Protestant peasants," under the leadershuo of Bishop Desiderius Balthazar, and the "free electors," who were involved in keeping Emperor Karl from regaining his throne. Captain Julius Gombos, one of Karl's captors in 1921, and now Hungary's Minister of war, was quoted in a newspaper interview stating he was "unalterably opposed to Otto's enthronement.""I stand fast by what I did in 1921, and I am now and forever against the continuation of the legitimist principle." Gombos said he was for a "free popular choice of King of Hungary." but the time was not right for "such a selection.""Inherited monarchies are now as antiquated as Parliaments. The best of our citizens should stand at the head of the nation. The fear of a dictatorship is a theme of false democracy. If we made Otto King of Hungary that would only be a beginning. How long would it be before the Austrian legitimists would also undertake a 'putsch' and call Otto back to Vienna? Neither Germany nor Italy, not to speak of the Little Entente, would favor such a development. Another objection against Otto is that he is only 18 years of age. He has had no experience and would be ruled by a court camarilla. In Hungary we need no camarilla, but a strong hand."

In a candid interview with the Associated Press, King Ferdinand of Roumania told of the real reason why his eldest son, Carol, renounced his right to the throne. The King said that Carol had "repeated moral delinquencies" and was not "fit ever to become the ruler of his people."The King acknowledged that he himself had asked his son to renounce the throne, but he asked the reporter "to be excused from discussing in detail the circumstances of the renunciation.""It is a long and painful story. But I can tell you this, that there were no political motives behind it. It was my own act, provoked by my son's extraordinary conduct. No political leader forced a decision on me."Although my action gave deep anguish and pain to the Queen and myself, it had to be done in the interests of my country, the people, the Government and the Crown."Carol proved by his repeated moral delinquencies that he was entirely unfitted to assume the duties of a sovereign. Therefore, I demanded his renunciation. I could with propriety have done nothing else."There was "much secrecy" about Prince Carol's renunciation of his dynastic rights last December. His love affairs "were known to have played a large part in his difficulties with his parents," but many assumed there were also political motives for his renunciation. His first marriage to Zizi Lambrino, a woman of "humble stock" was annulled, and in 1921, he made a suitable marriage with his second cousin, Princess Helen of Greece. This "marriage did not prove happy and stories were constantly in circulation concerning Carol's escapades."He appears to now be involved with a Romanian commoner, Elena Lupescu. According to the latest reports, they have bought a villa outside of Paris.Carol was recently dropped from the royal civil list, although his private income is said to be about $30,000.

The engagement of Dr. Maximilian von Hohenberg, eldest son of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, who was assassinated at Sarajevo in June 1914, became engaged today to Countess Elisabeth zu Waldburg-Wolfegg. The engagement was announced by her father, the Prince of Waldburg-Wolfegg, according to the AP's report.Last August, a monarchist movement in Czechoslavakia wanted to turn the country from a republic into a monarchy, with Maximilian as king. Czechoslovakia was once a part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.Archduke Franz Ferdinand's marriage was morganatic, and his children did not have dynastic rights to the Austro-Hungarian throne.Countess Elisabeth, who was born in August 1904, is the youngest daughter of the Prince and Princess of Waldburg-Wolfegg.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Miss Nadejda de Braganza, daughter of Princess Miguel de Braganza, "made her bow to society tonight at the Newport Country Club." She is the first debutante of the season.She made her debut at a ball hosted jointly by her mother and her uncle, William Rhinelander Stewart, Jr. The ball "proved of great brilliance, both in the matter of decorations, and in the assembly of guests." The New York Times reported that the assembly of guests, "of whom there were 500," came from New York and other cities.The clubhouse's interior "had been turned into a veritable oak and floral bower, lighted by thousands of varicolored electric lights and by large Japanese lanterns. Baskets of white and pink Japanese rambler roses where hung from the ceiling. The tables were places outside on the terrace, "which was illuminated with lights arranged among the bushes and plants at the edge."Miss de Braganza received her guests with her mother and her uncle "before a bank of floral gifts that had been sent by many friends. Two orchestras played music throughout the evening, except during "the serving of supper." Earlier in the evening, Miss de Braganza was a guest at a dinner hosted by Mr. and Mrs. William B. Bristow and their daughter, Miss Romaine Bristow, "for young people at their home on Bellevue Avenue."Princess de Braganza and her brother were among the guests at a dinner at the Clambake Club.

Is King Boris III about to announce his engagement to the "beautiful Princess Francoise of France?" According to the Associated Press, the King, "whose engagement to Princess Giovanna of Italy was officially denied a few months ago," is now being linked to the 25-year-old daughter of the Duke of Guise, pretender to the French throne.Apparently a "prominent member of the French chamber came to Bulgaria recently, ostensibly to inspect the earthquake regions," but was actually in the country to "sound out the King" on the possibility of "marrying the second daughter of the 'King of France.'"The French deputy "has impressed on the King that he has the full authority from the Duke of Guise to offer Princess Francoise in marriage." He has stressed the desirability of a marriage, which French officials believe would offer "full benevolence of France toward Bulgaria."

A Viennese dispatch to the New York Times reports that Prince Maximilian von Hohenberg, the 14-year-old son of the late Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, has founded the "Youths' Association of Prayer for a Speedy and Favorable Peace." The association "has already 14,000 members."Prince Maximilian's father, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was the heir to the Austrian throne, when he and his morganatic wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, were assassinated at Sarajevo in June 1914.

The Duke d'Alencon was buried today next to his wife in the Orleans chapel at Dreux. The Duchess was burned to death in the Paris Charity Bazaar fire of 1897.The New York Times reports that the King of Bulgaria attended the funeral. and representatives from the royal houses of Spain, Portugal and Belgium, were also present. The Duke d'Alencon, a grandson of Louis Philippe, was born in 1844.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Summer in the CityHot town, summer in the city Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty Been down, isn't it a pity Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city

All around, people looking half deadWalking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head

But at night it's a different worldGo out and find a girl Come-on come-on and dance all night Despite the heat it'll be alright

And babe, don't you know it's a pity That the days can't be like the nights In the summer, in the city In the summer, in the city

Cool town, evening in the city Dressing so fine and looking so pretty Cool cat, looking for a kitty Gonna look in every corner of the city Till I'm wheezing like a bus stop Running up the stairs, gonna meet you on the rooftop

But at night it's a different world Go out and find a girl Come-on come-on and dance all night Despite the heat it'll be alright

And babe, don't you know it's a pity That the days can't be like the nights In the summer, in the city In the summer, in the city

Hot town, summer in the city Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty Been down, isn't it a pity Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city

All around, people looking half dead Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head

But at night it's a different world Go out and find a girl Come-on come-on and dance all night Despite the heat it'll be alright

And babe, don't you know it's a pity That the days can't be like the nights In the summer, in the city In the summer, in the city

The AP reports today on the news of "three royal marriages, two of them uniting the Spanish ruling family with foreign sovereign houses." The engagements are expected to be announced soon.Infanta Isabel Alfonso, daughter of the Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies and the late Infanta Mercedes, sister of King Alfonso XIII, will marry Count Zamoyski, described as a member of the family "pretendent to the throne of Poland."King Alfonso XIII's two daughters, Infanta Beatriz and Infanta Maria Cristina, are also about to announce their engagements. It is reported that one will marry "a foreign Prince," and the other "to a titled member of one of the most aristocratic families of Spain." The identities of the two alleged bridegrooms are not known.The New York Times nots that Infante Alfonso de Bourbon, older brother of Infanta Isabel Alfonsa, has been conspiculously absent from all the season's activities," as he was devoted to his cousin, Infanta Beatriz. It is "believed that for reasons of State the Prince's attentions have been discouraged since it is understood that the Princess is expected to marry into foreign nobility."The Dowager Queen Maria Cristina has made recent visits to Austria and Switzerland, and these visits are believed to be connected with a possible marriage.

Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Crown Princess Louise of Sweden left Yellowstone Park today and drove south along the Teton Range to Phillips Lake in Fremont county, where they were to spend the night, according to the AP dispatch. Tomorrow the royal couple will "continue their trip along the western slope of the Continental Divide" to Rock Springs, Wyoming, where they will board a train for Salt Lake City.
As they "left the land of geysers" and entered the Tetons, called the "Alps of America, with Gannett Peak, the highest point in Wyoming "towering before them," the Crown Prince and Crown Princess "were loud in their praise of the scenic wonders they had enjoyed during the first few days since they first entered Yellowstone."
"The outdoor life on my trip is the kind of recreation I needed," the Crown Prince exclaimed. "W are used to his sort of thing at home."
Before leaving Yellowstone, the prince and princess were made honorary rangers of Yellowstone -- "the only honorary rangers in the park's history."
The couple's world trip may be called off "if the health of Queen Victoria does not improve." The Crown Prince's mother has "long suffered from heart trouble," and has grown weaker during the summer. She is staying at the summer castle on the island of Oland. The King has "been summoned to the sick bed and is forbidden to leave for the present."

Prince Harald of Denmark has become betrothed to Princess Helena of Schlswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, according to the Marquise de Fontenoy, who recalls the fact that Harald "was one of the unsuccessful suitors for the hand of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands." His engagement will mark "an improvement in the relations" between the Danish and Prussian courts.
Princess Helena is said to be the favorite niece of Kaiserin Augusta Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm II, and "spends much of her time" visiting her aunt and uncle. One of her sisters, Viktoria Adelheid, is the wife of Duke Carl Eduard of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha; another sister, Alexandra, is engaged to the Kaiser's fourth son, Prince August Wilhelm; and her mother, Caroline Mathilde, is the Kaiserin's younger sister.
This marriage has great importance to the Germans as Denmark "virtually commands the entrance to the Baltic," and Germany wants to be on good terms with her. Ever since the war of 1864, Prussia has had one aim to "assuage Danish resentment and to convert it into good will."
Previous efforts to heal the wounds "were of no avail." But since Wilhelm II came to the throne, "there has been a marked improvement." It seems the "impending marriage" of Princess Helena and Prince Harald "is calculated to still further cement the amity."

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Princess Antonia of Salm-Salm's silk wedding gown was "simply elegant," and was complemented by a three meter long brocade train and a tiara. The bridal veil and the tiara were also worn by the bride's mother, Princess Philippa, when she married Prince Michael of Salm-Salm in 1977
The wedding, a Roman Catholic service at Salm-Salm's parish church, St. Laurentius, and the reception that followed at Schloss Wallhausen, the bride's home, was the culmination of five days of celebration. The groom, 29-year-old Count Clemens von Mirbach-Harff, had his bachelor party on Tuesday. The couple's civil marriage took place at Rüdesheim on Wednesday. The bridal soiree was held on Thursday.
A family friend, Father Johannes Eltz, was the officiating minister. He had known the bridegroom since the latter was 13-years-old.

In lieu of wedding gifts, the newlyweds asked for donations for a charity that works with disabled children in Kenya and Lebanon.

The photo was taken by Beate Vogt-Gladigau.

The groom is referred to as Count Clemens. One assumes that the information was provided by the family. Clemens' father, Antonius, is the head of the family, and the only one entitled to be called Count. His children are Barons. But the news articles refer to Clemens as Graf (Count). He is running the family estate at Gut Ingenfeld.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Princess Antonia of Salm-Salm today married Count Clemens von Mirbach-Harff at her family's parish church, St. Laurentius, at Wallhausen near Bad Kreuznach.The princess, 22, is fifth of six children of Prince Michael of Salm-Salm and his wife, Countess Philippa of Castell-Castell.500 guests were expected to attend the wedding and the reception, which was held at Schloss Wallhausen. According to the local newspaper, NGZ, guests were able to watch Germany's defeat of Argentina during the quarter final round of the World Cup.The bride wore a golden-cream gown with a veil and a three-meter long train, which had also been worn by her mother, her sister and her cousin at their weddings.The Count told the newspaper's reporter that he was "quite relaxed" after spending a day at a spa on Friday. He said he "already nervous" at the civil wedding, which took place on June 30. The bride, training to be a midwife in Speyer, she was "looking forward" to the wedding.Antonia and Clemens, 29, met a year and half a go in Cologne, where the princess was training to be a midwife. At the time, Clemens was working for a consulting firm."For me, there was an immediate spark," Count Clemens said. It was also love at first sight for the princess.Clemens first proposed in May 2009, when both were making a pilgrimage in France. The princess was not yet ready to commit, so she said "Wait." In January, Count Clemens again summoned the courage to ask the princess to marry him during a visit to Speyer., This time, Antonia said yes.At first it seemed not that important to be marrying a nobleman, but the Count realized, in retrospect, that he was "very happy about it.""We have have many common values.After a three week honeymoon, the Count and his Princess will be residing at Gut Ingenfeld near Grevenbroich, where Count Christian will be involved in running the family's estate.

Now available for purchase: a well-researched, footnoted article on the life of Grand Duke Michael Mikahilovich of Russia, whose marriage to Countess Sophie von Merenberg was unequal, but a love match. I wrote this piece some years ago for Royalty Digest, and now again available. The price is $5.00 (and will be sent to you as a PDF). Just click on the Buy Now link for purchase. Thanks.

The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins

My article, The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins, is now available through Kindle on Amazon, in all the Amazons' Kindle stores. This link is for US Amazon. The price is $9.99. Just visit your Amazon and go to the Kindle store, search for my article. The article runs more than 50 pages! And who were the Gleichens: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (nephew of Queen Victoria) and his family. His marriage to Lady Laura Seymour was considered unequal, and his wife and children were created Countesses and Count Gleichen. A German title but very English people .... Feodora, Edward, Valda and Helena .. all talented and interesting people. True junior royals.

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